THE HISTORY OF MANTES-LA-JOLIE HAS ALWAYS BEEN CLOSELY ENTWINED WITH THAT OF FRANCE.
The city has succeeded in retaining all the charm of a mediaeval town while at the same time implementing ambitious development programmes.

The origin of the name "Mantes-la-Jolie"

The "royal town" of Mantes-la-Jolie

Mantes-la-Jolie and the Second World War

Mantes-la-Jolie and the boom years

The era of the major development projects

The Seine Aval Operation of National Interest

The origin of the name "Mantes-la-Jolie"

If you're not already familiar with the region, you should be aware that there are actually two "Mantes". These are Mantes-la-Jolie and Mantes-la-Ville, two distinct districts separated by the railway line. The official name of Mantes-la-Jolie was adopted in 1953. It refers to a letter sent by King Henry IV to his mistress Gabrielle d’Estrées who was residing in Mantes, in which he wrote "I am in Mantes, my pretty…."

The "royal town" of Mantes-la-Jolie

Since the end of 2006, Mantes-la-Jolie has been listed as one of France's "royal towns" just like Versailles, Rambouillet or Saint-Germain-en-Laye. This is a label issued by the Tourism Committee for the départment. Indeed, the town's history has been closely entwined with that of the kings of France.

The County of Mantes was attached to the Royal estate by Louis VI ("Louis the Fat"). After defeating his brother Philippe, he stormed the town helped by the inhabitants. As a reward, he granted the people of Mantes a town charter in 1150. Philippe Auguste died in Mantes in 1223. Blanche of Castile and her son the King Louis XI enjoyed lengthy stays in Mantes. Later, Henry IV met his future mistress, Gabrielle d’Estrées, here.

Mantes-la-Jolie and the Second World War

The town has long benefited from its role as a crossroads between Normandy and the Paris region. During the Second World War however, it was precisely this factor which made Mantes a strategic target, and the German army occupied the town on June 13, 1940. Attacked from the air at least 50 times, it was extensively bombed, particularly on May 30, 1944. When Patton's army liberated the town on August 19, 1944, Mantes was in a sorry state, having suffered extensive damage and with the victims numbering into the hundreds.

Mantes-la-Jolie and the boom years

The rapid reconstruction of public buildings and high-rise housing gave the town a new look. The economic boom of the "30 glorious years" radically transformed Mantes. A new district, Le Val Fourré, was created on the site of a former aerodrome. However, this dense and unadapted town planning scheme, coupled with the economic crisis and rising unemployment, saw a deterioration of living conditions in the area. By the early 1990s, France's largest "ZUP" (urban redevelopment area) was in a bad way.

The era of the major development projects

Since the mid-1990s, a series of massive state-supported initiatives have completely transformed the ailing Val Fourré area. These went beyond simply demolishing the high-rise blocks. Phased development programmes, harmonious reconstruction projects, "residentialisation" (the separation of public and private areas) and systematic improvements to the living environment for local residents (including such things as lighting) all contributed to bringing about a significant improvement in the quality of day-to-day life much appreciated by the residents themselves.

The Seine Aval Operation of National Interest

The Opération d’Intérêt National (OIN or "Operation of National Interest") launched in 2006 involves taking the principles that have worked so well at Le Val Fourré and applying them on a larger scale. The "Seine Aval" OIN covers an area from Bonnières-sur-Seine to Conflans-Sainte Honorine. As the third largest town in the département, Mantes-la-Jolie naturally has a key role to play in this incredible and ambitious programme aimed at boosting the growth and attractiveness of the area.

Print this page